Day in My Life Presenting at the UNH Undergraduate Research Conference
Are you wondering what a day in the life of a UNH student looks like? Welcome back to our Day in the Life of a UNH Wildcat blog series, where we put the spotlight on students from different academic majors and class years.
The UNH Undergraduate Research Conference is an annual conference on our campus where undergraduates of all majors and class years present their research. At UNH, it's easy to get started with research as an undergraduate, thanks to resources like our Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research and many opportunities to receive funding for research projects.
Follow along as Jordan DiPrima '25, an earth sciences: geophysics major, walks you through a day in her life presenting at the 2025 Undergraduate Research Conference here at UNH.
On my way to the Whittemore Center Arena (the Whitt) from my off-campus apartment
Morning
7 a.m.
I wake up, have a cup of coffee and make scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast. Then, I get dressed, practice my presentation one last time and head out the door at 9 a.m.
My check-in information, schedule for the day and name tag
9:30 a.m.
I arrive at the Whittemore Center Arena (the Whitt), where the Undergraduate Research Conference Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Symposium (URC-ISE) takes place. I receive my check-in QR code and a name tag. I have 15 minutes before it's my turn to be judged. I chat with some other earth sciences students to see how their presentations went.
Standing next to my poster after presenting to the judges
9:45 a.m.
I present my poster to the judges. My project is titled, “Evaluating the Causes of Land Subsidence on the U.S. Mid-Atlantic Coast Measured with InSAR.” My work involves measuring vertical land motion with satellite data and trying to identify the causes of land subsidence. This project is a continuation of the work I did last summer at my internship with NASA’s Student Airborne Research Program.
Birthday cake sent by my parents
10:45 a.m.
I walk back to my apartment between my judging session and the awards ceremony. I find a package on my doorstep — my parents ordered me a cake because today is my birthday!
Running a sea level model created by Grace Ertel, a PhD student here at UNH
11:30 a.m.
I do some work on a project for my Sea Level Change & Geodynamics class taught by Assistant Professor Sophie Coulson. She’s one of my favorite professors at UNH, and she’ll be my advisor when I return as a graduate student next fall! I’m working on mapping sea level contributions from the melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet.
Afternoon
My friends and I in front of my poster
1:30 p.m.
I return to the Whitt for the open house portion of the Undergraduate Research Conference. My friends come to see my poster and hear my presentation. During the open house, I have lots of great discussions with faculty and other students in the earth sciences department.
Wild E. Cat posing with Jordan in front of her poster
2:45 p.m.
Wild E. Cat comes to see my friend Jordan present her poster. She does research on volcanoes in France.
My slide in the 2025 UNH Sustainability Fellowship Lookbook
4 p.m.
I arrive home and change out of my professional attire. This summer, I’m participating in a UNH Sustainability Fellowship. Here’s the slide I made for our “Fellowship Lookbook” in order to help the other fellows get to know me better. It includes information about my professional and personal interests.
Evening
My bike on the bank of the Oyster River at Old Landing Park
7 p.m.
I go for a bike ride to the park near my apartment where I listen to music and watch the ducks swim in the Oyster River. My friends and I love to come here when the weather is nice.
Posing with my burrito at Chipotle!
8:15 p.m.
I open birthday gifts from my roommates, and they treat me to Chipotle (burritos are my favorite food!) I’m so lucky to have amazing friends who make time for me on such a busy day.
11 p.m.
After calling my family, I take a shower and get ready for bed. Presenting at the Undergraduate Research Conference was a very valuable experience, and great practice for the future!
